I want to think that winter is finally gone, although I still keep a coat in my car just incase. So, it is June 3, and I finally got myself to a race. I got a little bit run down before I left Arizona, and 6 weeks later, I decided that procrastination is no longer an option. It is time to jump in and give it what you got. Actually what I got may not be as important as just making the motivation to get going with what ever I have left.
Bear Creek Race: The winter in Arizona was great! I felt good all winter and did some riding, nothing major, but consistent solid time on the mountain bike. I had a little glitch that set me back 6 weeks, but I finally got out to race. Recovering from a cold and getting run down prior to my travels east, I opted to race 50+ class which was only a 2 lap race with combined Cat 1 & 2. I say only 2 laps, but I was worried that even 2 laps may be too much.
After my pre-ride on Friday, I was confident that I could finish 2 laps, but the course was slick and I was not as confident as when I raced this course at Nationals 4 years earlier. Yet returning to this venue brought me such great memories. I really embraced the vibe I got from being back there again. It did not really matter if the course was wet and slick, or if I was not in great shape, being there just felt right.
Arriving on race day was a bit strange, because I did not know many people that attended the MASS series, yet the place was familiar. I got on my bike and rode around to find the start and finish lines and immediately I noticed the chain saw guy from the heckle area at nationals. He was just walking around, obviously without his chain saw.
Memories of Nationals 2014
I only did a short warm up since I was out of shape, had no high end fitness and the distance of the race was already a challenge. There was a mass start for all women and like I expected, I was 2nd to last as we approached single file trail. I got forced off my bike, but took it in stride and they let me though. Much to my surprise, I was on 3rd wheel by single-track and then had to settle in for a bit.
I tried to ride steady and clean, not my old race pace, and was able to ride to the front of my age group on the opening climb. From that point it was just me trying to be one with the course, and the course was quite engaging: rocks, wet rocks, ferns, more rocks, a hawk crying, dense woods and more rocks. It kept my attention for sure. I almost expected to see Sister Anne when I entered the heckle area. If she was there, I would have had to stop and confess as I did not clean the heckle spot on any of my laps. I guess my skills are a little out of practice too. However, I was able to ride and have a blast on much of the other stuff.
I really love this race. It was a great first race for me as it was more about skills than fitness. It was a nice way to ease me back into racing. I will need to face the music at some point, but for now, this was an unexpected and appreciated early season accomplishment. Rocks rule!
